Why do I feel good after drinking distilled water? Unpacking the Pure Water Experience

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

While distilled water removes contaminants like bacteria and chemicals, it also strips out beneficial minerals. This paradox is central to understanding why you might feel good after drinking distilled water, even as experts warn against its long-term, exclusive use.

Quick Summary

Many feel good after drinking distilled water because it is free of contaminants and may produce a psychological effect. This sensation is often not from added benefits, but from avoiding potential irritants in tap water. Long-term, exclusive consumption is not advised due to the absence of essential minerals.

Key Points

Perception of Purity: Feeling good from distilled water is often linked to avoiding contaminants like chlorine, not receiving special health benefits.
Absence of Minerals: The distillation process removes all minerals and electrolytes, which can lead to deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances over time.
No Mineral Leaching: The popular myth that distilled water 'leaches' minerals from your body is scientifically inaccurate; most minerals are absorbed from food.
Risk of Deficiency: Long-term, exclusive consumption is risky without a mineral-rich diet to compensate for the missing calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Mitigate Risks: Remineralizing distilled water with mineral drops, mixing it with mineral water, or ensuring a balanced diet can counter the risks.
Taste Preference: The bland, flat taste of distilled water is preferred by some over chlorinated tap water, potentially encouraging better hydration habits.
Consult a Professional: It is advisable to speak with a healthcare provider for personalized guidance on hydration and nutrition, especially for long-term use.

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is a type of purified water created by boiling water into steam and then condensing the steam back into a liquid. This process is highly effective at removing impurities, salts, and minerals, resulting in exceptionally pure H₂O. While this purity is beneficial for medical, laboratory, and household appliance use, it also means the water lacks the minerals and electrolytes naturally found in other sources.

The Purity Perception: Beyond the Surface

For many, the feeling of 'good' after drinking distilled water is less about what's in the water and more about what's missing. If you are used to drinking tap water that contains trace amounts of chlorine or other compounds that affect its taste, the clean, flat taste of distilled water can be a welcome change. This psychological factor plays a significant role in perception, as some individuals associate purity with improved well-being.

The Placebo Effect

Belief is a powerful component of health. The knowledge that you are consuming water deemed 'purest' can trigger a placebo effect, making you feel better even if there isn't a direct physiological cause. This mental association, while not a substitute for proper nutrition, can contribute to a positive drinking experience.

Avoiding Potential Irritants

If your local tap water quality is poor, drinking distilled water can mean avoiding certain contaminants that could be causing subtle negative effects. Distillation effectively removes many harmful substances, offering a level of reassurance and potentially eliminating low-grade irritants. The distillation process is known to remove:

Bacteria and viruses
Heavy metals like lead and mercury
Chemicals like chlorine
Pesticides
Certain organic chemicals (though some volatile organic compounds may recontaminate if not managed properly)

Nutritional Differences: Distilled vs. Other Water Types

The most significant drawback of distilled water for regular consumption is its lack of essential minerals. Natural spring and mineral waters, as well as some types of filtered water, contain beneficial minerals that support bodily functions.


Feature	Distilled Water	Mineral Water	Tap Water (Filtered)
Purity	Very High (minimal contaminants)	Variable by source	High (depending on filter)
Mineral Content	Essentially none	Contains beneficial minerals	Retains some minerals
Taste	Flat and bland	Distinct, minerally taste	Varies; often improved by filtering
Best For	Appliances, short-term use, medical	Everyday drinking, rehydration	Everyday drinking (cost-effective)

Potential Risks and How to Mitigate Them

While safe for occasional use, exclusive, long-term consumption of distilled water poses risks due to the absence of essential minerals and electrolytes. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes potential concerns related to drinking demineralized water.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Electrolytes like sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium are crucial for regulating body fluid distribution and nerve and muscle function. Sweating causes a loss of these minerals, and drinking only distilled water will not replenish them. In extreme cases, this can lead to an imbalance, causing fatigue, muscle cramps, and headaches. For athletes or those who sweat heavily, this risk is particularly relevant.

Mineral Deficiencies

Though most people get the bulk of their minerals from food, water provides a supplemental source. Relying solely on distilled water, especially with a diet already low in minerals, could contribute to deficiencies over time. The body needs these minerals for various functions, including bone health and energy production.

Remineralization Strategies

To mitigate these risks while still enjoying the purity of distilled water, you can remineralize it. Simple and effective methods include:

Dietary compensation: Ensure a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other mineral-dense foods.
Mineral drops: Add mineral drops, specifically formulated for remineralizing water, to your glass.
Mixing water types: Blend distilled water with a small amount of high-quality mineral water to find a balance of purity and nutrition.
Electrolyte supplements: Use specific supplements or isotonic drinks to replace lost minerals after intense physical activity.

Conclusion: Informed Choices for Better Health

The sensation of feeling good after drinking distilled water is often a combination of avoiding irritants found in other water sources and a strong psychological association with purity. For short-term or specific purposes, such as with medical devices like CPAP machines or in a laboratory, distilled water is a reliable choice. However, for everyday, long-term hydration, relying solely on distilled water is not recommended due to the potential risks of electrolyte imbalance and mineral deficiency. A balanced diet and, if necessary, strategic remineralization or alternating with mineral-rich water sources can help maintain optimal health. As with any significant dietary change, it is wise to consult a healthcare professional, especially for those with existing health conditions, to ensure your nutritional needs are met. An informed approach allows you to enjoy the benefits of pure water without compromising your body's essential mineral balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Distilled water is not inherently dangerous for short-term consumption, especially if you have a balanced diet rich in minerals. However, long-term, exclusive use can lead to electrolyte imbalances and mineral deficiencies because it lacks essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.

No, distilled water does not specifically detoxify the body more than regular water. While staying hydrated is crucial for the body's natural detoxification processes, the kidneys and liver handle this function, not the type of water you drink.

You can remineralize distilled water by adding commercial mineral drops designed for this purpose, mixing it with mineral-rich spring water, or ensuring your diet contains plenty of mineral-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.

Yes, many people find distilled water to have a flat or bland taste compared to tap or mineral water. This is because the distillation process removes dissolved minerals and gases that contribute to water's flavor.

For most healthy people with a balanced diet, occasional or short-term consumption of distilled water is not a problem. The minerals you need should be sufficiently supplied by the food you eat.

Distilled water is a type of purified water, but the purification method is specific (boiling and condensing) and removes almost everything, including minerals. Other purified water, like reverse osmosis water, may have contaminants removed but sometimes retains or has minerals added back.

A person may feel better after drinking distilled water because its purity means they are avoiding potential contaminants like chlorine or heavy metals that might be in their regular water. This can lead to a psychological sense of well-being or avoid minor irritation from contaminants.

Distillation removes essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and fluoride, among others.

Distilled water is not ideal for athletes, especially after heavy exercise. During physical activity, electrolytes are lost through sweat, and distilled water cannot replace them. An electrolyte-rich sports drink or mineralized water is a better choice for rehydration and replenishing lost minerals.

Yes, distilled water can be used for cooking. However, be aware that it can leach minerals out of foods, potentially reducing the nutritional value of your meal. Some find it best for specific uses like brewing coffee or tea to avoid altering the flavor.